The best time of the year is officially upon us. The NHL Playoffs kick off this evening and some of the staffers here at NIS have offered their first round predictions.

Katey’s Picks:

EAST:

# 1 Pittsburgh vs. # 8 New York Islanders: Penguins in 5
# 2 Montreal vs. # 7 Ottawa: Canadiens in 6
# 3 Washington vs. # 6 New York Rangers: Capitals in 7
# 4 Boston vs. # 5 Toronto: Bruins in 6

WEST:

# 1 Chicago vs. # 8 Minnesota: Hawks in 5
# 2 Anaheim vs. # 7 Detroit: Detroit in 7
# 3 Vancouver vs. # 6 San Jose: Sharks in 6
# 4 St. Louis vs. # 5 Los Angeles: Kings in 6

Pete’s Picks: 

EAST:

# 1 Pittsburgh vs. # 8 New York Islanders: Penguins in 4
# 2 Montreal vs. # 7 Ottawa: Ottawa in 6
# 3 Washington vs. # 6 New York Rangers: Rangers in 7
# 4 Boston vs. # 5 Toronto: Bruins in 6

WEST:

# 1 Chicago vs. # 8 Minnesota: Hawks in 5
# 2 Anaheim vs. # 7 Detroit: Detroit in 6
# 3 Vancouver vs. # 6 San Jose: Vancouver in 7
# 4 St. Louis vs. # 5 Los Angeles: St. Louis in 6

Kiley’s Picks:

EAST:

# 1 Pittsburgh vs. # 8 New York Islanders: Penguins in 4
# 2 Montreal vs. # 7 Ottawa: Canadiens in 5
# 3 Washington vs. # 6 New York Rangers: Rangers in 6
# 4 Boston vs. # 5 Toronto: Bruins in 6

WEST:

# 1 Chicago vs. # 8 Minnesota: Hawks in 6
# 2 Anaheim vs. # 7 Detroit: Anaheim in 6
# 3 Vancouver vs. # 6 San Jose: Sharks in 7
# 4 St. Louis vs. # 5 Los Angeles: Kings in 7

Nick’s Picks:

EAST:

# 1 Pittsburgh vs. # 8 New York Islanders: Penguins in 5
# 2 Montreal vs. # 7 Ottawa: Canadiens in 6
# 3 Washington vs. # 6 New York Rangers: Rangers in 7
# 4 Boston vs. # 5 Toronto: Bruins in 7

WEST:

# 1 Chicago vs. # 8 Minnesota: Hawks in 7 (Gotta put some faith in Minny)
# 2 Anaheim vs. # 7 Detroit: Ducks in 6
# 3 Vancouver vs. # 6 San Jose: Sharks in 6
# 4 St. Louis vs. # 5 Los Angeles: Blues in 7 (Just to piss off Berman)

We’ve got a great first round ahead of us! Which teams do you think will make it to the next round?